The magic of Kapok

Have you ever imagined turning forest fruit into furniture? It might sound far-fetched, but in Tanzania’s rich Usambara Mountains, this idea has taken root quite literally.

Kapok trees, which can grow up to 200 feet tall, are native to tropical forests around the world. In Tanzania’s Usambara rainforest of the Usambara Mountains which are part of the ancient crystalline Eastern Arc mountain chain stretching along the East African coast from eastern Tanzania to south-east Kenya, kapok trees play a crucial ecological role. In the dry season, the tree sheds all its leaves, and when its fruits burst open, they release white, silky fibres that float like snow across villages and forest floors.

Kapok fibre is naturally hypoallergenic, water-resistant, and biodegradable, yet despite these unique properties has remained underutilised. Without access to local markets or knowledge of the fruit’s value, communities often cut down these vital trees for timber and firewood, putting them at serious risk.

Turning fruit into furniture

This is where Kapok Collective comes in. Instead of allowing these valuable trees to fall to chainsaws, the winner of the Restoration Factory 2025 incubator has developed an innovative model that turns this priceless fruit into income for local communities living in and around the forest. By harvesting kapok fibres and using them to stuff products like bean bags, pouffes, yoga pillows, and dog beds, local communities can earn money while preserving the trees that grow the fibres.

“We’ve flipped the model. Instead of trees being worth more dead, we are showing they can be even more valuable alive, year after year”. - Maliehaa, Founder of Kapok Collective.

And the numbers back it up. In less than a year of operation, Kapok Collective has established a community cooperative with 12 local members and created green income streams that are on track to save 600 trees. The innovative model of Kapok Collective has also led to designed alternatives to plastic-filled products, aiming to replace over 12 trillion microbeads within three years, and have secured clients including local hotels, pet shops and furniture retailers. They have started groundwork to build a factory in the mountains to scale their model and begun partnerships with local government and development actors.

A material revolution

Most soft furniture today is made from environmentally damaging materials like Styrofoam and polyester, which release microplastics into our homes and ecosystems. Kapok Collective offers a powerful alternative to environmentally conscious consumers by producing fully compostable, all-natural stuffing sourced directly from East African forests.

This shift is not just ecological – it is economic. By localising production, Kapok Collective is reducing reliance on imported furniture and offering premium products tailored to the Tanzanian and East African hospitality market.

Growing with the Restoration Factory

Kapok Collective’s journey began with an idea, and with the support of the Restoration Factory incubator, it has now grown into a recognisable and fast-rising brand. Through structured mentorship, online learning modules, and expert coaching, the team developed a business plan, built a following of early adopters (including over 100 Instagram supporters!), and secured its first clients.

“The fact that we can now source quality, locally made soft furniture designed with intention and tailored to project needs, is a major asset for the industry”. - Cecilia Sabuyi, Founder of Mbao and More, a Tanzanian interior design brand based in Zanzibar and a Kapok Collective client.

What next?

Kapok Collective is now scaling its model, working closely with government agencies, local communities, and restoration partners in Tanzania to create a regenerative forest economy that benefits people and the planet. Watch the Kapok Collective team tell their story here. 

Follow their journey on LinkedIn or Instagram, and keep an eye on this incredible venture proving that protecting forests and creating beautiful furniture can go hand in hand.

Discover more innovative businesses like Kapok Collective through the UNEP Restoration Factory program, and learn more on how it is working to accelerate private investment in nature-based solutions by growing the pipeline of investment-ready sustainable land-use businesses.